NepalAyurveds.com: Lekali Kukurdaino

Lekali Kukurdaino, लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु, चोपचिनी, Smilax aspera

यो १२००-२५०० मिटरसम्मको उचाइमा पाइन्छ । विशाल झ्याउ हुने कुकुरदाहिनुको जरा र बोक्रा धूलो पारी औषधि गरिन्छ । यसको कलिलो मुना र पातको साग पनि खाइन्छ । काँढापानी पिउने प्रचलन पनि पाइन्छ। गाँठादार काँडासहितको लहरोको बलियो लठ्ठी पनि टेकिन्छ । यो रक्तशोधक, समस्त रक्तविकारनाशक, सबै स्त्रीरोगमा लाभदायक, पेटका रोगमा उपयोगी, हरेक दुखाइमा वेदनाशामक, विजातीय द्रव्य निष्कासन र वात - व्याधिमा हितकारी मानिन्छ । यसको धूलो मात्रा : आधा चम्चा २ पटक । काँढापानी ३-५ पटक र साग २००-३०० ग्राम केही दिनको निरन्तर सेवनबाट गतिशील

स्वस्थलाभ मिल्छ ।

परिचय

लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु (Smilax aspera) नेपालको पहाडी तथा हिमाली क्षेत्रमा पाइने एक औषधीय लहरो हो। यसलाई चोपचिनी, कुकुरदाहिनु वा लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु पनि भनिन्छ। यो लहरो नेपालको पारम्परिक आयुर्वेदिक चिकित्सामा धेरै प्रयोग हुने गर्छ। यसको जरा, बोक्रा, पात र मुना विभिन्न रोगको उपचारमा प्रयोग गरिन्छ। यो बोट काँडादार हुने र झ्याउ फैलने स्वभावको हुनाले यसलाई चिन्न सजिलो हुन्छ।

नेपाल र अन्य देशमा उपलब्धता

लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु नेपालको १२०० देखि २५०० मिटरको उचाइमा पाइन्छ। यो मुख्यतया हिमाली क्षेत्र, मध्य पहाडी भेक र तराईको केही भागमा पनि फैलिएको छ। नेपाल बाहेक यो भारत, चीन, भूमध्य क्षेत्र, अफ्रिका र युरोपको केही भागमा पनि पाइन्छ। यो बोट जंगल, रुखको छायाँमा वा झरनाको किनारमा स्वतः उम्रने गर्दछ।

शारीरिक गुणहरू

यो काँडादार लहरो हो जसको पात चम्किला, हरिया र हृदयाकार हुन्छन्।
यसको जरा गाँठेदार, मोटो र सेतो वा खैरो रंगको हुन्छ।
यसको फूल साना, हरिया-पहेँला रंगका हुन्छन् र फल पाकेपछि रातो वा कालो हुन्छ।
यसको बोक्रा खस्रो र खैरो रंगको हुन्छ।

औषधीय गुणहरू

लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनुमा निम्न औषधीय गुणहरू पाइन्छन्:

रक्तशोधक: यसले रक्तलाई शुद्ध गर्छ र रक्तविकारहरू नाश गर्छ।
वेदनाशामक: यसले दुखाइ, जोर्नी दुखाइ र मांसपेशी दुखाइलाई कम गर्छ।
स्त्रीरोगमा उपयोगी: यसले महिलाका विभिन्न रोगहरू जस्तै अनियमित मासिक धर्म, श्वेतप्रदर र गर्भाशयको समस्यामा लाभदायक हुन्छ।
पाचनशक्ति बढाउने: यसले पेटको गैस, अपच, अल्सर र आन्द्राको समस्यामा मद्दत गर्छ।
वात-पित्त नियन्त्रण: यसले शरीरको वात र पित्तलाई सन्तुलित गर्छ।
विषनाशक: यसले शरीरबाट विषालु पदार्थहरू बाहिर निकाल्छ।

फाइदाहरू

यसले शरीरको प्रतिरोधात्मक शक्ति बढाउँछ।
मुटु रोग, मधुमेह र जोर्नी दुखाइमा असरदार छ।
त्वचा रोग, फोडा-फुटी र खटिरोमा लाभदायक छ।
यसले शरीरको चयापचय प्रक्रिया सुधार्छ।

प्रयोग विधि

धूलो रूपमा: जरा र बोक्रालाई सुकाएर धूलो पारी आधा चम्चा दिनको २ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
काँढा पानी: यसको जरा उमालेर पानी ३-५ पटक सेवन गर्न सकिन्छ।
साग: यसको कलिलो मुना र पातको साग बनाएर २००-३०० ग्राम खान सकिन्छ।
मलमको रूपमा: यसको धूलोले घाउ, खटिरो र फोडामा लगाउन सकिन्छ।

संकलन र संरक्षण

यसको जरा र बोक्रा असार-श्रावण महिनामा खन्नुपर्छ।
जरालाई धूपमा सुकाएर भिजाउने वा फ्रिजमा राख्नुपर्छ।
यसलाई हावा नलाग्ने बन्द भाँडामा राख्नुपर्छ ताकि यसको गुण कायम रहोस्।

निष्कर्ष

लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु नेपालको महत्त्वपूर्ण जडीबुटी हो जसले विभिन्न रोगहरूको उपचार गर्न सक्छ। यसको रक्तशोधक, वेदनाशामक र स्त्रीरोग निवारण गर्ने गुणले यसलाई आयुर्वेदमा अत्यन्त महत्त्वपूर्ण बनाएको छ। यसको उचित मात्रामा सेवनले स्वास्थ्यलाई धेरै फाइदा पुर्याउँछ। तर, धेरै मात्रामा सेवन गर्दा केही साइड इफेक्ट हुन सक्ने भएकाले विशेषज्ञको सल्लाह अनुसार प्रयोग गर्नुपर्छ। यसरी, लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु प्राकृतिक रूपमा स्वस्थ जीवनशैलीको लागि उत्तम औषधि हो।

Introduction

Hidden in the folds of the Himalayan hills, Lekali Kukurdaino—also known as Smilax aspera, Chopchini, or लेकाली कुकुरदाहिनु—is a lesser-known but highly valued medicinal herb. This climbing plant has been traditionally used in Nepalese households and folk medicine for centuries. Its spiny stems, climbing nature, and medicinal roots make it a unique and versatile plant. Though not often found in your average herbal shop, this herb is a powerhouse when it comes to detoxifying the blood, treating skin conditions, improving digestion, and helping with women’s health issues.

Smilax aspera is not just another wild plant—it’s an age-old remedy with scientifically backed benefits and traditional wisdom behind its use.

Availability in Nepal and Other Countries

In Nepal, Lekali Kukurdaino is commonly found in mid-hill to high-hill regions, typically between 1200 to 2500 meters above sea level. It thrives in forested, moist, and semi-shaded areas. The plant is especially common in parts of Gorkha, Dhading, Ramechhap, and surrounding hilly districts.

Outside Nepal, this herb grows widely across Southern Europe, Northern Africa, West and South Asia, and parts of the Himalayan region in India and Bhutan. In India, it is found in states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, where it's also called Chopchini and is commonly used in Ayurveda.

Its hardy nature allows it to grow in wild, uncultivated areas, climbing over trees, fences, and rocks, making it a truly rugged mountain plant.

Physical Properties

Smilax aspera is a woody, thorny climbing plant (vine) that can stretch several meters long. It is well-known for its tough, coiled stems covered with sharp, curved thorns that help it cling to nearby trees and surfaces.

Some key physical features include:

Leaves: Heart-shaped, tough, leathery, and often slightly spiny on the margins.
Stems: Long, flexible, and covered with backward-pointing thorns. These can be used as strong sticks.
Roots: Thick, tuberous, and aromatic. These are the most medicinal part of the plant.
New shoots and leaves: Young, tender shoots are edible and can be cooked like vegetables.
Flowers & Fruits: It bears small greenish flowers and dark red to black berries.

The thorny, coiled structure gives it a wild, untamed look, but hidden within are some incredibly valuable healing properties.

Medicinal Properties

This plant has a powerful mix of traditional and scientifically observed healing properties. Various parts of the plant—especially the root and bark—are used in powdered form for their medicinal benefits.

Some of its major medicinal properties include:

Blood Purifier (Raktashodhak): Smilax aspera is traditionally used to cleanse the blood and improve overall circulation. This makes it useful in treating skin diseases, acne, eczema, and other toxic build-up conditions.
Detoxifying Agent: It helps remove unwanted substances (vishatattwa or ama) from the body.
Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relieving (Vednashamak): Its root powder can help reduce joint pain, arthritis, backaches, and general body pain.
Useful in Women’s Health: Traditional uses include managing menstrual disorders, leucorrhea, and uterine imbalances.
Digestive Aid: Used in treating constipation, indigestion, bloating, and other gut-related issues.
Antioxidant: Its compounds help fight free radicals, promoting anti-aging and cellular health.
Supports Kidney and Liver Function: Encourages removal of excess fluids and toxins through urine.

In Ayurvedic medicine, it is sometimes categorized under herbs that balance the vata and kapha doshas.

Advantages

Here are some of the practical and therapeutic advantages of using Lekali Kukurdaino:

Readily Available in the Wild – It’s common in many hilly forests of Nepal and doesn't need commercial farming.
Multi-purpose Plant – From food (young leaves) to medicine (roots and bark) to utility (walking sticks), it's incredibly versatile.
Low-Cost Herbal Remedy – Easy to harvest and process at home, making it accessible to rural communities.
Long-Term Health Benefits – Helps with chronic illnesses like arthritis, skin problems, and reproductive health issues.
Natural Pain Reliever – Offers a plant-based option for people seeking relief from pain without pharmaceutical drugs.

Uses

1. Medicinal Powder:

The dried root and bark are ground into a powder. This powder is taken internally for its blood-cleansing and pain-relieving effects.

Dosage:

½ teaspoon (approx. 2–3 grams) twice a day with lukewarm water or honey.

2. Kandha Pani (Stem Water):

Some people soak the thorny stems in water overnight and drink the strained water as a health tonic. This traditional practice is believed to support kidney function and detoxify the body.

Dosage:

3–5 times per week.

3. Vegetable (Leafy Shoots):

Young shoots and leaves are cooked as a green vegetable, especially in rural areas. It's not only nutritious but also medicinal when consumed regularly.

Serving size:

200–300 grams of cooked greens, 2–3 times a week.

4. External Use:

The paste made from root or bark powder is sometimes used to apply on inflamed areas or skin diseases.

Using Method

Root Powder: Mix with warm water or milk, and take on an empty stomach or between meals.
Kandha Pani: Soak a cleaned stem overnight, strain, and drink the water next morning.
Vegetable Use: Harvest tender shoots, boil or sauté with spices and oil like you would cook spinach or nettle.

Important Tip: While it's generally safe in small quantities, excessive or incorrect usage may lead to stomach irritation. Always consult with a local herbalist or Ayurvedic practitioner before long-term use.

Harvesting and Preservation

Harvesting:

Roots and stems are usually collected in the post-monsoon or winter season (September to February), when the plant’s medicinal properties are at their peak.
Only mature roots (2 years or older) should be harvested for maximum benefit.
Young shoots can be collected during the spring and summer months for vegetable use.

Preservation:

The roots are cleaned, sliced, and sun-dried until completely moisture-free.
Dried roots should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.
Powdered form should be kept in dark glass jars or tightly sealed pouches to maintain potency.

Proper drying and storage ensure that the herb remains effective for up to a year or more without losing its strength.

Conclusion

Lekali Kukurdaino (Smilax aspera) is a powerful example of how nature quietly hides treasures in remote hills and forests. What looks like a thorny wild vine is actually a healing miracle loaded with medicinal goodness. Whether you're struggling with chronic joint pain, skin problems, digestive issues, or simply want to detox your system, this plant offers a natural and holistic solution.

While modern medicine continues to explore chemical solutions, Lekali Kukurdaino reminds us of the wisdom in ancient practices and the healing power of local herbs. It's easy to overlook such wild plants, but those who know their value keep them close, passing the knowledge from generation to generation.

If you're from a region where this herb grows, or you have access to a good herbalist, consider exploring this gift of nature. With proper use and respect, Smilax aspera can be a loyal companion in your journey to better health.

Reference

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